Q: Do you have an update on the property on State Road 13 that was identified by the LAMP board as a potential park?
A: As background, this property located at 600 State Road 13 North is owned by First Coast Energy and at one time was to be a gas station. In 2022, it was put on the LAMP list of recommended properties and that list was approved by the Board of County Commissioners in March 2023. This authorized staff to negotiate with the seller in an effort by the county to purchase the land. When staff reached out, they learned that the property owner was not only not interested in selling, but had in fact filed a commercial construction plan application in April to build an office building. Despite our hope that this property would be conservation land, it’s important to note that the LAMP program is for willing sellers only.
Q: What can you tell us about how St. Johns County fared with funding in the latest legislative session?
A: We received another record round of funding this legislative session. You may recall that we received $52 million last year; this year, pending the governor’s signature on the bill, we are set to receive $59 million, mostly for transportation infrastructure and coastal protection. Some of the projects we have already identified for these funds include a much needed traffic signal at the intersection of Pine Island Road and US 1 as well as the extension of County Road 2209 (St. Johns Parkway) from Silverleaf past International Golf Parkway, all the way to State Road 16. Approximately $25 million is slated for beach renourishment of our Ponte Vedra beaches, which were so badly impacted last year by two storms in 43 days (Ian and Nicole).
Q: Speaking of infrastructure, what does the county currently have in progress?
A: I sat down with our staff this week and asked what projects we have moving forward. I learned that we have 100 active projects in St. Johns County, utilizing $279.4 million. These projects include drainage infrastructure, road improvements, road widenings, and park improvements. We’ve never had this much underway before in our county’s history. It’s a lot of money, but I’m excited about the positive impact that will be felt all over St. Johns County.
Q: Do you have an update on the Twin Creeks DRI as it pertains to the traffic bottlenecks on County Road 210?
A: We as a board have authorized our attorneys to sue the developer of the Twin Creeks DRI (which includes Beachwalk) if our attorney deems it necessary. Our staff has pointed out that we have $18 million in unfulfilled commitments by this developer, which range from widening County Road 210 East to bringing some of the roads that he has already built up to our county standards. Finally, the developer was also supposed to build a park with four multi-purpose fields, which he committed to build when this project was initially approved years ago. We will never let this developer off the hook. He will be held accountable by our board.
Q: What is the best way for our readers to contact you?
A: Readers can email me at bcc1cwhitehurst@sjcfl.us or call me at (904) 584-5348. Also, I’m available to come out and speak to HOAs, organizations, and neighborhood groups if requested. Just call my office to make an appointment.
